Holiday Makeup Up Trends and One Perfect Dress

To view the Holiday Trends video {Click here} 

Deciding what to wear for the holidays can be a tough choice but so is choosing what makeup you'll pair with it so don't wait until the last minute ... just in case Mr Right shows up at the same party you'll want to be looking your best!

This year channel your inner  Hollywood glam and think luminous for makeup!

Smokey eyes and red lips are always in fashion for the holidays, but this year the red lips are also matte. Bold lips can instantly change your day look into a dramatic party ready lip! The eye gets a little update with a soft shadow and heavy winged eyeliner reminiscent of a 1940 pin up girl or Elizabeth Taylor in Cleopatra. A q-tip goes a long way in trying to perfect this look and clean up mistakes!

If you're going to a party after work, before piling on some extra mascara, take your eyelash curler and run it under hot water for a few minutes to heat it up. Then, carefully, so not to burn your eye, squeeze your lashes to soften them up so they are ready to accept another coat 

of mascara without gunking them up or ripping out your lashes. The heated eyelash curlers for about $25 by Dior is a great tool to use for this too, it melts the mascara and curls perfectly.

Gold, shimmery highlights are also a big trend for the season and the perfect glow with candlelight! The key is to choose choose just one place to shine so you don't end up looking like a glitter bomb!

Eyes, cheekbones, nails or lips can all benefit from the midas touch! For luminous, pearlescent skin try Benefits Girl Meets Pearl $30. TO use it, after all your makeup is applied, dot it starting at the top of your cheekbones creating a "C" all the way to your brow bone. Blend with your fingertips until it disappears. And for a golden pucker use Nars Lip Gloss in Albatross $24 over any lip color to give a golden shimmer. To do it yourself, take any gold shimmer eye shadow and dust it on top of cheeks, eyes or lips!

Shelley GoodStein is a FORD model who speaks to women through television, national articles and public forums about a model's secrets to looking your best! She is the author of Face This: Advice From Real Models, Photographers and Make Up Artists on How to Become Picture Perfect!

Learn how to take one red pencil dress and style it in different ways to take you to every party this holiday season by changing up three key pieces:  Footwear, accessories and the "topper"  - a key part of extending the life of this dress ... especially if you intend on party hopping!

A casual, biker influenced look. The cool as a cucumber vibe to take you for drinks with friends, holiday gift exchanges and date night!

Perfectly polished for an office party, church or charity brunch.

All blinged out for New Year's Eve!

Turkey Neck - How to Banish a Double Chin in your Photos

If there is one comment I hear most from women about taking photos, it is regarding the dreaded, double chin. Just in time for Thanksgiving and holiday picture taking, the turkey neck is a subject that I can offer you some advice about!

Before giving you the on-camera tips, keep in mind that the biggest cause of double chins is excess body fat and some people just carry fat on their chin more easily than anywhere else. In this case losing weight is your solution. Our muscles can weaken as we age and the skin becomes looser there, but sometimes you're just born with a little more fat around the chin. It's possible you also have a genetic tendency to retain too much water in this area so check out my post about how to de-bloat. 

A previously non-existent double chin can show up on anyone at some time or another in a photo. But if you are breaking out into a sweat, dreading being asked to take a photo because you can't seem to crack the curse, then we need to break it down and look at why this is happening in your photos but not in real life. Caught off guard like this woman on the left, when someone points a camera lens at them, people seemingly drop their heads back into their necks. Self consciously trying to hide extra rolls, this only worsens the effect,  leaving her looking like a turtle. Standing up straight with her shoulders 

back like mom said to, would have been the quick fix for this girl's double!

There are many techniques that will work to make you stop mutating into a ninja turtle if you can just remember to take a breath and put them into play:

• Make sure the camera is above you, not below eye level. Any photo taken below you will automatically increase a double chin effect as seen here ------------->
• Lean in a bit forward and look up if you're sitting.
• Lift your tongue, resting it behind your front teeth. This action will bring your chin up and naturally tighten the muscles of the neck a bit. 
• Extend your neck out and then bring it down ever so slightly. Your image is to think "swan princess".
• Hide a real double chin by resting your hands underneath your jaw, or by wearing high collars.
• Putting your hair up or wearing it short will make your neck look thinner and longer, especially if you play up your eyes.
• Trick the camera with makeup. Use a darker shade of powder, foundation or bronzer along your jawline and under your chin to make it appear to recede in a photo. Then use a highlighter on the center or tip of your chin to make it pop forward.

Kim K's camera phone twitter pic has another hint hidden in her pose that you can take a lesson from, which is angling her head while jutting her chin forward. Don't forget when you are using a camera phone that you want to make sure you hold it at a slightly higher level than your eyes so you have to raise your head up.

Remember, taking consistently great photos doesn't happen by accident ... they take some practice! 

If you want to learn more about the secrets to taking prettier pictures check out my new book FACE THIS, almost 200 pages full of tips and advice from models, photographers and makeup artists on how to become Picture Perfect! Available on Amazon, Nook, Kindle and iTunes for iPod, iPhone and iPad users.

Dress like a Model - her Off-duty Uniform

I love seeing the online shows during Fashion Week in New York, Paris and Milan, but as a model I am secretly inspired more so by the photos of the models off-duty in their street looks, than on the catwalk in designer couture. During Fashion Week a model's influence seems to be greater on the street with the paparazzi following their every move outside the shows.

Yes, models are typically skinny, but many of them do not wear skin tight clothes. On the catwalk, models wear the most luxurious, expensive and newest designs, but it's the model's off-duty, street style that we covet most. Here are some photos of models in what I call the standard model uniform. To understand their choices you must keep in mind that they live a jet set life with early morning calls, running around town for go-sees, late night fittings and endless hours in front of the cameras often working in stilettos. It's no wonder that when they have down time they reach  for easy, comfortable pieces that always work with other and ooze a "I wasn't even trying hard" attitude, smothered in style.

Hands down the model uniform in NYC is always black and denim but in Miami you will see color paired with cute sundresses and shorts. L.A. models often have that laid back, eclectic almost vintage, vibe going on. One thing is certain, models create a certain msytique about themselves in a way that makes us want to know more. Here are some of a model's secret weapons when she is off-duty:

Hanneli Mustaparta

1. The basic model color is black of course because it goes with everything including itself for a monochromatic look, but when color is introduced you will notice that it is usually white, gray, ivory, camel, denim or a small splash accent.


2. Models keep it simple. Nothing fussy like ruffles. Always clean lines, nothing busy.


3. Jeans and a white tank, simple cardigan sweater or black leather jacket.

Isabel Goulart

4.  No overpowering jewelry.


5. Clothes fit. Models learn that fit, fabric and style are key. Off the runway you rarely find a model dressed trashy because even though she is skinny and could wear anything, she has learned that it is far more sexy to look and feel the fabric move over her body, flowing in the wind. You may think wearing baggy clothes to cover your bottom is hiding it but it is really drawing more attention and making it stand out.

Iman Chanel

7. Vintage. If you have something from a great designer keep it and recycle it by altering it to transform it for your own style. This goes for anything you love in your closet that you haven't worn for awhile.


8. Experiment. A model takes chances by making a statement with her clothing choices. If you are standing up straight with confidence, no one will question what you're wearing.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

9. Fresh Face. Makeup is natural. Concealer, mascara, gloss and go!


10. Flat boots. Perfect for over arched feet posing in heels all day long. Models tuck jeans and leggings in them or wear them with black tights and a short skirt.

Jourdan Dunn

11. A Large Tote. Have you ever notice how when you carry a larger bag it makes you look smaller? Plus it can carry everything needed for your next casting!


There are times when random strangers have asked me if I am a model, which got me to thinking .... What is it that gives someone that "model look"? I have modeled on and off my whole life, on hold at times for marriages, kids, careers and other interests, but I have always held out that modeling bend and I think it shows!


Last year I was in New York City where high fashion models live and walk the streets everywhere. While trying to get to my friend's house on Long Island, there was a wind storm that ripped down trees blocking the road to her house. So I parked my car and got out to walk when a fireman made his way to me asking where I was going and "ahem, are you a model?" I know you think he just wanted my number, but I was wearing my wedding ring and so was he, making me think he was legit! I had just finished a big modeling job in the city that week and was definitely feeling that NYC model thing inside me and looking the part. I had little makeup on and my hair was pulled back in a low ponytail, wearing a short white tank style dress that fit perfectly.


All models have a signature style based around their best feature. Mine have always been my legs, so of course my dress was short, and with some cork heeled sandals I looked like I had legs for days ... definitely a model-ly look for sure. I was still wearing the confidence of my big job in the city and it was obviously shining through! Everyone should know what it is you love best about your body and make every outfit revolve around that, not being afraid to show it off. When you carry yourself with confidence it begs asking the question "who are YOU?" because you vibrate at a different frequency and people can't help but notice!


Whatever else you are in life, you can still manage to look like a model if you want to. And to prove it, here is Karolina Kurkova, the Czech Victoria Secret supermodel, on mom duty. She is still a model trendsetter in these flared jeans, while she walks with her son Tobin.

Source:Modeloffduty

Determining what to wear every day is a challenge we all face, but if you want to look like a model take her cues and invest in basic, well-fitting, key pieces that you can wear with everything. It's extremely important to stay true to your personality when finding your signature style. And whenever you walk, even if it's not on a runway, stand tall with  an inner confidence and the aura of a Supermodel....you just might get a tap on your shoulder by a stranger asking you "Are you a model?" because you can see that it's not about expensive designer clothing, it's about the girl wearing a well put together, stylish look. No fidgeting allowed!

Check out my post on {How to Pack and Travel in Style Like Models Do!}